I'm a Big Girl Now (song)

"I'm a Big Girl Now" is a novelty song written by Al Hoffman, Milton Drake, and Jerry Livingston.^[1][2] It was recorded in 1946 by American bandleader Sammy Kaye with vocals by singer Betty Barclay.^[2][3][4] Released as a single by RCA Victor, Kaye's recording was a commercial success in the United States, topping The Billboard's Best-Selling Popular Retail Records chart in the issue dated April 27, 1946.^[5][2] It also peaked within the top ten of the magazine's Records Most-Played on the Air, Most-Played Juke Box Records, and Honor Roll of Hits charts.^[6]

According to Drake, "I'm a Big Girl Now" was written at the request of Kaye, who had recently recruited Barclay to sing with his band and sought a "special" song to debut at their first public performance together. Its lyrics are addressed to the singer's boyfriend, conveying to him her desire to no longer be treated as a child.^[7]

See also

• List of Billboard number-one singles of 1946

References

1. "Triple 'Lie' May Be Obie-Kaye Tiff Pt.". The Billboard. 1 June 1946. p. 37. Retrieved 17 July 2020. Like Girl, the Lie item was written by Drake, Hoffman and Livingston and published in elaborate secrecy by Kaye's World Music.
2. Whitburn, Joel (2002). Joel Whitburn's Billboard Pop Hits, Singles & Albums, 1940–1954 (2 ed.). Record Research. p. 192. ISBN 0898201527. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
3. Holden, Stephen (4 June 1987). "Sammy Kaye, 77, Bandleader for 50 Years, Dies of Cancer". The New York Times. New York City. Archived from the original on 11 March 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
4. "On the Stand: Reviews of Orchestras Playing Hotels, Night Club and Ballroom Locations and One-Nighters". The Billboard. 25 May 1946. p. 36. Retrieved 17 July 2020. Fem chirper Betty Barclay, featured in tunes such as It's Only Human and I'm a Big Girl Now, sells solidly.
5. "The Billboard Music Popularity Chart". The Billboard. 27 April 1946. p. 30. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
6. "The Billboard Music Popularity Chart". The Billboard. 4 May 1946. pp. 26–29. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
7. Whorf, Michael (2014). American Popular Song Lyricists: Oral Histories, 1920s–1960s (illustrated ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 79. ISBN 9780786490615. Retrieved 17 July 2020.